Should the NHL abolish the instigator rule?

Question

This whole "more hockey, less fighting thing" is getting old too. The clock does stop when a fight breaks out so there is the same amount of hockey and if you can't stand the sight of it, then cover your little eyes. It is obvious that you are of the opinion that fighting should be banned, it is obvious that you are in the overwhelming minority on this issue, that alone should be enough. If you are such a "fan of the game" as you would have us believe, then wouldn't you want what is best for the game? You have made your arguments (without merit) and they have been shot down. It is obvious that you don't play the game too, or you would understnd better.

Actually, I think they will get rid of the rule within 2 years. I believe they are already looking at raising the limit from 3 to 5 before you are suspended.

Also. How about this for more hockey? It would allow tough players to stick up for their star teammates that are getting cheap shots, thus decreasing the amount of cheap runs at star players (guys would think twice if they were going to pay a price) and thus keeping star players on the ice where they belong. For God's sake, Gretzky made a living off of having others fight his battles when guys took runs at him. Know this son, if Gretzky were not able to get protected he would have never scored as many points as he did because guys would have knocked the snot out of him. You have said he and the U.S. Olympic team were the reasons of hockey popularity in the 80's (which is a joke) so with no Gretzky, even in your little world, hockey would not have thrived. Seeing the light yet??

Get real-there are more brawls in baseball.

Gretzky is pro-fighting as I pointed out to you. Show me something not 15 years old and you can get some respect. I gave you recent footage to debunk your theory that the greatest player ever doesn't agree with it so you don't crap.

Answer 1

Yes. Everyone else here was so eloquent that I don't need to elaborate, just thought I'd cast my vote......

It's time hockey people start speaking up about some of these lame *** rules that have screwed with the game.

The ones that have much to say don't speak and the ones with nothing to say don't shut up.....maddening!

Oh, and one more thing...don't mess with the jerseys either.

Answer 2

yes. the thing is in the past 10 to 15 years some experts are saying bad things about hockey. i know most of the people that come on here don't realize that the NHL back in the 40's, 50's, 60's and even the 70's had allot of stick swinging incidents but hockey was not in any danger from the fans stand point. but in today's NHL hockey has lost lots of fans cause of allot of rule changes over the past 15 years. the talent has spread to thin with all the expansions since the Sens arrived and that's one reason you don't see as much goal scoring, but allot of experts would argue that its because the goalies are better some are like Brodeur but look at the thickness of the goalie equipment since the early 90's BIG BIG change and that really helped out allot. this instigator rule will be gone in the next few years cause of allot of smaller players are finally getting their chances of making the NHL in today's new NHL. and these smaller super stars will be pushed around and the only way to protect them is to have that tough guy on your team to send the message to the others, don't touch. or ill kick your ***.

you will see more and more fighting in the next 5 to 10 years to protect these smaller super stars, the fighting wont be like back in the 70's and 80's. the so called experts are just trying to blame the figthing on the reason why hockey has truggled the past 15 years but they don't realise the real reason is cause of the expansion and not as much talent on teams like back in the 80's.

instigator rule will be gone in the next 5 to 10 years. so will this stupid shootout.

it's funny when you here these experts saying hockey loses fans with all the fighting well its just because they might not like it at the time as there team is in last place. but if you were Gretzky you would be greatful you had the protection he had cause he would of never past Howe's scoring record thats for sure. if you watch a game the fans GO CRAZY when theres a fight and it get's these fans all exited and chearing the home team on after the fight.


and another thing hockey has been around longer then most sports today and fighting was always a part of the game so why know its such a big issue. cause the league is trying to find something to blame and behind are backs are changing all the rules and its all the ******* rule changes that actually hurting the NHL.



GO HABS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Answer 3

I'm sure you aren't exactly on the edge of your chair wondering how I am going to answer this one. I'll just say that I don't see what it would accomplish OTHER than to create more fighting and less hockey and leave it at that.

No, Bob what is getting "old" is that I have tried to respect your opinion and you do not care to give me the same Courtesy. I ask a simple question and you go ballistic about how I must not be from Canada and am ruining your little game. You say nobody else feels as I do, I give you a source of not just anyone but the best player in the HISTORY of the game. Then you claim I made it up, so I tell you EXACTLY where I got it.

What is also getting "old" is it is VERY disrespectful on your part to print things about me that are simply lies, I HAVE played hockey.

If you want to spend your time surfing the internet for videos of people getting in fights, that is certainly your right, just stop bothering ME with it. I would rather watch Crosby deke 5 guys and score or see Brodeur make a point-blank save on Ovechkin.

Bob, get this through your thick head, if YOU think fighting should always be part of the game you have a right to feel that way. I DO NOT CARE TO WATCH IT. There is nothing I need to be "shown the light for". I merely asked a question (and answered some), I am not going to organize a petition and send it to the NHL and I am not going to ruin your enjoyment of your precious little videos of grown men knocking the **** out of each other, if that is what YOU want to see, that is fine. I do not care to. Again I will not "cover my little eyes" although I may go to the stand to get a Beer and a hot dog, the line will be short.

As far as the "respect" part I personally try to show other people respect just by virtue of the fact that they are on Yahoo Answers, it has nothing to do with whether or not I agree with them. But that's just me. I would at least appreciate your asking me certain questions before you post lies about me.

Answer 4

Why no longer positioned a caged octagon above the rink (each the position yet in Ottawa and Toronto, MMA is banned in Ontario)? Then between the 2d and 0.33 sessions the ring may be diminished to the ice aspect and enforcers from each team can face off to confirm answer to perceived wrongs. the outcomes may be tabulated and the outcomes may be registered as consequences or more beneficial pictures in a shootout if mandatory. enable's provide the reason of wearing a goon on the roster a reason and enable them make certain the accurate results of a sport. Sammy may have a reason to precise her hate and we are able to experience free and boastful retaining that we've taken scuffling with out of hockey and positioned it back in the alleys the position it belongs.

Answer 5

Well either that or clean it up to be actually an instigator rule. People like Holliweg who really just go around annoying people and being a pest should be suspended as often as possiable under that rule. I have nothing against the Enforcers going out and fighting. I do have a problem though with people who aren't that great as a player going around and trying to get under every other player's skin and then everyone feels bad for the jerk when he finally gets clubbed for it.

Answer 6

I think the NHL should keep the instigator penalty, however they should eliminate the penalty and fine if a fight is started after 5 minutes left in the 3rd. If you're team's getting thumped, what better way to get the crowd cheering than have one of your enforcers thump on the other guy?

Answer 7

Admittedly, I don't mind seeing a pair of cement heads thump eachother silly, but if fighting were completely eliminated I wouldn't miss it either. I can't think of any sport other than boxing or associated fighting sports (MMA, PKA, etc.) where fighting is tolerated as it is in hockey. Think of the irony that Simon and Domi were suspended for using a slur, but punched a guy in the face and got five minutes.

by not ejecting, and or suspending, or fining people who fight, the league condones it.

Answer 8

Jeez, a lot of addendum's there.

But I think it shouldn't be abolished because it IS the guy who starts the fights fault that it, and any injuries or rivalries resulting from that even happened, and he should be punished with an extra two minutes. But I also think that nothing should be ADDED either. It's fine the way it is, an extra 2 minutes in the box.

Answer 9

Its a personal opinion, but depending on the circumstance I find it to be a lame rule. So is a delay of game though if a goalie flips the puck over the glass trying to clear it, and you won't see that changed anytime soon either.

Answer 10

I agree but as long as the little puke is running the show there's not much hope.
The league needs a Canadian at the helm for a while. Steve Yzerman would be a better choice.